The Mill City Museum in Minneapolis Chronicles the City’s Rise to a Flour Milling Powerhouse
It’s hard to miss the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis. The iconic Gold Medal Flour sign still stands atop what was once the Washburn A Mill, which at the time of its opening in 1880 was the largest and most technologically advanced flour milling complex in the world.
Closed in 1965, the mill sat vacant for more than 25 years until a devastating fire in 1991. From the ruins created by that fire rose the Mill City Museum. Developed by the Minnesota Historical Society, the museum opened in 2003 and chronicles the story of Minneapolis’ rise to prominence as the Flour Milling Capital of the World.
Located in the trendy Mill District neighborhood, the Mill City Museum stands as a testament to Minneapolis’ industrious past. An architectural marvel, it tells a powerful story of human ingenuity, catastrophic disaster and a city’s ability to reinvent itself.
Flour Milling Capital of the World
The driving force behind Minneapolis’ rise to a flour milling hub was the immense power of St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River. Entrepreneur Cadwallader C. Washburn capitalized on this resource, building the first Washburn A Mill in 1874. In 1878, a spark ignited airborne flour dust, a common and dangerous hazard of the industry, triggering a massive explosion that killed 18 workers and destroyed the mill.
Undaunted, the Washburn-Crosby Co. (the predecessor of General Mills) rebuilt the mill in 1880, this time with the help of Austrian engineer William de la Barre. At its peak, the mill could grind enough wheat to produce over 2 million pounds of flour a day and Washburn-Crosby’s signature Gold Medal Flour was sold around the world.
See more: Baking Flours 101
A Landmark’s New Life
The Mill City Museum in Minneapolis is an award-winning example of adaptive reuse, blending modern architecture with the remnants of the surviving mill structure, turbine pits and rail tracks. You can literally reach out and touch the building’s rough, limestone walls, still stained with soot from the 1991 fire.
More than just a history lesson, the museum offers a dynamic and engaging experience for all ages. Here are some must-see attractions and activities to make the most of your visit.
Main Gallery
This area features a vast array of artifacts, from the massive gears and pulleys that once powered the mill to smaller, personal effects of the people who worked there.
A highlight is the exhibit on de la Barre and the engineering that went into the Washburn A mill to make it the most advanced operation of its time.
Interactive stations allow you to test your knowledge of milling processes and the economics of the flour industry. Exhibits focus on the human stories, showcasing photographs, personal letters and oral histories that provide a glimpse into the lives of the workers.
You can also learn the story of Betty Crocker, the fictional character invented by the advertising department of Washburn-Crosby Co. to answer baking questions sent in by consumers. In 1924, Betty took to the airwaves with the Minneapolis radio program The Betty Crocker Cooking School of the Air that later went national, and then took to television starting in the late 1940s.
The Flour Tower
This is the museum’s signature experience, taking visitors on board a massive freight elevator that travels through eight floors of the old mill. Along the way, the elevator stops at different levels, each designed to replicate a working mill floor. Film, photographs, sound effects and the recorded voices of former mill workers capture the sights and sounds of the mill in its prime.
Rooftop Observation Deck
The Flour Tower experience culminates at the rooftop observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the Mill District and the Mississippi River. See the Pillsbury A Mill complex on the East Bank, which held the title of world’s largest flour mill for more than 40 years. Also visible are the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls and the surrounding Mill Ruins Park.
The Baking and Water Labs
The Mill City Museum isn’t just about looking – it’s about doing. The Baking Lab offers live demonstrations that show how flour is transformed into delicious breads and baked goods. The aroma of freshly baked bread often fills the air, and if your timing is right, you might get a sample.
A favorite among families and children, the Water Lab’s interactive exhibit features a series of water tables and models that demonstrate how the power of St. Anthony Falls was harnessed to turn the massive turbines that drove the mill’s machinery. Visitors can manually operate a lock and dam system and learn about the physics of waterpower.
The Ruin Courtyard
The outdoor courtyard, situated within the mill’s preserved ruins, is a striking space that connects the museum to the riverfront. See the footprints of old machinery on the ground and soak in the unique atmosphere. The ruins are also a popular location for seasonal events, live music and the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat
Head to the mill’s West Engine House, now a theater, to watch a humorous and fast-paced film narrated by local humorist Kevin Kling. The film provides a whirlwind tour of Minneapolis’ history, from its origins to its present-day status as a modern metropolis.
See more: Guide to Alternative Flours
Explore the Riverfront
The museum is located in the heart of the riverfront district. After your museum visit, take some time to check out the surrounding area. Walk across the Stone Arch Bridge for a different view of the falls, wander through Mill Ruins Park or visit the nearby Guthrie Theater, which offers free observation decks of its own.
If You Go
The Mill City Museum
704 South Second St.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
612-341-7555
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The museum is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan two to three hours to fully explore all the exhibits. The Mill City Farmers Market operates from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May through October.
Cost: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors (65+), veterans, active military and college students; $8 for children ages 5-17; children 4 and under are free